The gorgeous Kate Ritchie tells us all about her whirlwind UK (working) holiday!
Hey Kate! We hear you’re just back from the UK!
I am! It was a bit of a whirlwind really! I did the last episode of It Takes Two on the Tuesday - which was great, I must say - and then I flew over by myself on the Thursday. That meant I had Friday, Saturday and Sunday to hang out on my own in London, which was really nice. Even though I’ve been to the UK quite a few times I’m usually doing panto, and they’re not usually in London itself. The first six months of the year have been really busy, it was nice to have three days not to talk to anyone or see anyone or do anything!
What did you get up to?
Shopping! I felt like a walked a marathon as far as all the shopping went! Because of jetlag I was up at 6.30am, which I’m not like usually, and straight away I wanted to go shopping! It was funny though, because the shops don’t seem to open as early as they do here. I was walking along at 9am, and some of the stores weren’t open till 12. You can imagine me, waiting out the front [laughs] But I was over shopping by the third day – there’s only so much of it you can do!
Any great buys?
I got a lot of tailored jackets. You’re a bit spoiled for choice over there. Everyone was saying get to Top Shop and I did, but it’s just a bit crazy - it’s so big! But it was all good fun. When I wasn’t shopping I was eating. I went to the Ivy one night, which was nice. The best place I found was a deli\ café\ patisserie called Paul’s, near Convent Garden Square, which was where I stayed. It was beautiful! I went there twice.
Did you see much theatre or art?
Yes, I went to the National Gallery for a bit of peace and quiet from the shops, and had a wander round there. I saw a play called In Celebration, which I really enjoyed. Orlando Bloom was in it, but he didn’t have as big a role as I thought. He was the main character, but he seemed a little reserved onstage.
It’d have been worth it just to stare at Orlando though, right!
He’s alright. He’s not my cup of tea, but he’s alright [laughs]. There were a few days when the traffic in the street was stopped for him arriving, people waving their autograph books at him.
What was the work end of things like?
Once the work started it was pretty full-on, back to back interviews all day promoting the show for UK fans. The girls at Channel Five said they’d never done so many interviews! But despite it being work, it was great to get away. You know what they say - a change was as good as a holiday!
Were there any down sides?
I sure had to answer the question ‘What was it like growing up on television’ a lot! It got to the point where I wasn’t sure about whether or not I was repeating myself or not. But the response was really good. When HAA Home and Away moved from ITV to Channel Five the people that had access to the show dropped, so the viewing numbers dropped as well. However that’s been steadily increasingly, as we’re now also shown on Five Live, which is a sister channel to Channel Five. Everyone at Five was really happy to have us there and excited to have us on their network.
Did you get recognised on the streets?
I think at first people weren’t sure if it was me, but as soon as I open my mouth, the accent gave me away!
Wow, it sounds like a great trip!
All in all it was really fun, but I was exhausted by the end of it. It was nice to get to go to the other side of the world, and work AND have a holiday. But this summer I think I’m just gonna lie on the beach and drink daiquiris!
Cirby: HI, i just wanted to say HAPPY BIRTHDAY KATE (for tuesday the 14th august)..... Good luck with the show, i hope you get something nice. Have fun!!!!!
Steph Y: HELLO!
i would like to say happy birthday to KATE RITCHIE! Hope she has a great day and year. All the best. xo
P.S. Kate's the most awesomest aussie actress and plays my fav. character. Kate is also really pretty :D
